San Juan City is one step closer to becoming National Capital Region's (NCR) very first drug-cleared city after receiving a 100 percent performance rating from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in its 2023 Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) Performance Audit during the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) meeting on Wednesday, March 13.

Mayor Francis Zamora

San Juan City Mayor and RPOC - Metro Manila Chairman Francis Zamora presided the meeting where PDEA reported the good news.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) explained the ADAC Performance Audit is expected to assess the functionality and effectiveness of local ADACs based on existing issuances and policies, determine ADAC-initiated and/or endorsed innovations, and best practices at all levels; create an evaluation, and assessment platform; and recognize effective and performing ADACs.

"Ang San Juan po ay 100 percent rating sa ADAC Audit, 'yung Anti-Drug Abuse Council Audit. Tayo lang po ang lungsod sa Metro Manila na naka 100 percent rating kaya congratulations po sa lungsod ng San Juan, congratulations sa lahat ng naging bahagi ng ating efforts para maabot nga ang 100 percent rating (San Juan City received a 100 percent rating in the ADAC Audit or the Anti-Drug Abuse Council Audit. We are the only city in Metro Manila to achieve a 100 percent rating so I congratulate the whole city of San Juan and all who became a part of our efforts in achieving such a feat)," Zamora said.

He added that city government's next step is to apply to become NCR's very first drug-cleared city.

A helping hand

In December of last year, a total of 420 Persons who Use Drugs (PWUDs) in San Juan City received livelihood packages from the city government as part of its efforts in giving them another chance in life and as a reward for their commitment to change for the better.

Zamora said the beneficiaries were a mix of currently enrolled and graduates of San Juan City's rehabilitation program.

"Ang programang ito ay ginawa natin sapagkat gusto ko pong magkaroon kayo ng maayos na kabuhayan. Gusto ko po na pagkatapos ng inyong pinagdaanan at naranasan, bumalik po kayo nang maayos sa lipunan na nakakatulong sa inyong mga pamilya, nakakatulong sa inyong mga mahal sa buhay (We created this program because we want you to have a proper livelihood. I hope that once you return to society after your ordeal and experience, you may be able to also help your family and your loved ones)," Zamora said.

"Para sa akin, ang pinakamagandang paraan ay bigyan kayo ng tulong at suporta upang magkaroon ng kaunting pera (In my opinion, giving you financial help is one of the best ways for you to be able to recover from drugs)," he added.

The PWUDs received a 50 kilograms sack of rice, hygiene kits, three dozens eggs, three bags of groceries containing canned goods, coffee, milk, noodles, biscuits, cup cakes, cooking oil, and condiments.

The mayor explained this is part of San Juan's effort to maintain its 100 percent drug-cleared barangays after applying to be declared as a drug-free city by PDEA.

Grocery store Puregold had also set up its Aling Puring booth to provide membership cards to interested recipients.

Aside from the distribution of livelihood assistance to PWUDs, Zamora also led the blessing of the new Balay Silangan which is the first drug rehabilitation facility in the city.

The new reformation center used to be the city’s Covid-19 facility constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The 1st floor of the container van facility will remain as a Covid-19 facility while the 2nd floor was transformed into a fully air-conditioned rehabilitation facility.

A PDEA office will also be built in the facility.

The reformation center is funded by the city government and will be the venue where patients will be taught livelihood programs and classes to help them in their reintegration to society.

In August 2023, Zamora was commended by PDEA and the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) for leading the city's relentless anti-drug campaign which made San Juan the only city in NCR to have all its barangays drug-cleared.

"Gagawin po natin ang lahat sa ating makakaya upang panatilihing maayos, hindi lamang ang San Juan, ngunit ang kabuuang Metro Manila (We will continue to do everything we can to ensure peace and order not only in San Juan, but in the whole of Metro Manila)," Zamora, who is also the Metro Manila Council (MMC) president, said.

On Feb. 9, the city's last three barangays were declared fully drug-cleared after complying with all parameters set forth by the Regional Oversight Committee for Barangay Drug Clearing Program headed by PDEA, Philippine National Police (PNP), DILG, and Department of Health (DOH). 

The three barangays, namely Barangays West Crame, San Perfecto, and Batis, received their provisional status on Dec. 14  last year.